How to keep the carpet in your home in pristine condition
Wednesday, 16 March 2011 7:23 PM
Carpets always look beautiful when they are bought and should look great when they are installed as well. But keeping them in good shape thereafter can be a challenge. Dirt and dust can build up, wear and tear can take its toll and bright light can cause fading. And, of course, things can be spilt and splodged, from wine to tomato sauce. But keeping a carpet in good shape is far from impossible.
Take dust. 80 per cent of this is human skin, although obviously the worst sort is dirt walked in off shoes from the outside. Having mats at the doorway is a good way of stopping mud and other debris from shoes getting on your carpet.
Even so, regular vacuuming is an important way of getting rid of dust, ensuring the carpet looks clean, does not contain rough particles that can wear away at fibres and will not provide a nice home for dust mites, with the latter being an issue for sufferers from respiratory conditions such as asthma.
If you have a Berber carpet, avoid using a vacuum with a rotating brush that may damage the loops. A wool twist carpet may show signs of fluffing or shedding, but this can soon be cleared away by vacuuming.
Spills and stains are another everyday hazard. The key with these is to deal with them when wet as a dried-in stain is far harder to get out. Cold or lukewarm water is better for this than hot. Most importantly, stains should be dabbed up and not rubbed, as the latter action can ingrain them into the carpet. For some stains, a stronger solution like peroxide or vinegar will be required.
Fading is an occupational hazard for any carpet and something that happens over time. However, it can also occur rapidly and unevenly as certain parts of the floor as exposed to bright sunlight while others are in shade (such as those behind furniture). This can be prevented by having curtains or blinds in place to block out the sun during such moments, or by placing rugs over areas that get a lot of sun.
These are some of the many things that can be done to help keep a carpet in good shape. With carpet, the key thing to note is that as long as the right action is taken promptly and sensibly, the surface will be easy to maintain and should provide many years of great service.
